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The Perfect Gift

2011-11-04T16:10:00.001-07:00

At this point in our life, we have a lot of stuff. We've moved twice within the last 18 months and during each move the amount of stuff really weighs us down (literally). For the holidays, I'm not buying any trinkets for my husband. I'm giving him an Amazon Gift. He loves ordering DVDs and electronics throughout the year. I think that having a prepaid balance in his account will give him more joy than unwrapping some thing I felt pressured to buy because I wanted to fill up a box.

Shop Amazon's Gift Cards - Perfect Anytime

Shop Amazon's Holiday Countdown Store

2010-11-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

Loving the Cyber Monday deals at Amazon. They are adding new deals all day and they sell out fast. Click here to see what is new.

Holiday Shopping At Amazon

2009-12-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

Holiday shopping. This year we've been doing most of our holiday shopping on Amazon. Their prices are excellent compared to other retailers.

My husband purchased the DVDs ( Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (+ BD-Live) [Blu-ray] & Star Trek (Three-Disc +Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]) that he was going to purchase at the store on Black Friday at the same prices. He spent over $25 and received Free Super Saver Shipping. The DVDs were on our doorstep on Tuesday morning and we didn't have to wake up at 4 am on the day after Thanksgiving.

Also, we wanted to give our sister a Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker (Keurig) for Christmas. We found one at a great price on Amazon and added some coffee pods & a reusable filter. The package shipped for free to her address. Easy holiday shopping, even for relatives in other states.

New Wal-Mart Free Samples

2009-04-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Wal-Mart has a bunch of really good samples at their web site right now.

Good Nites : GoodNites Sleep boxers to

Crest Toothpaste: Pro-Health Enamel Guard Toothpaste--The perfect size to throw in your carry on luggage!

Kotex

Huggies Organic Diapers

Metamucil Drink Mix

Always Infinity Pad

Zyrtec Over the Counter Allergy Medicine

Request some samples and put some excitement back in your trips to the mailbox. Isn't it time you got something instead of bills and credit card offers!!

New Free Sample At Wal-Mart

2008-11-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

Free Glad Freezer Bags

A new sample has popped up at Wal-Mart.com. Free Glad Freezer Bags. If you are like me, buying in bulk and cooking at home is a way to combat rising prices. To save money, I've been buying large cuts of meat at our club store (Costco). When I get home from the store cut it in smaller meal size pieces and freeze the smaller cuts. So when I am cooking, I only need to thaw the smaller piece. These free freezer bags will be great!

GLAD Food Bags have:

More ridges, making it simple to grab and easier to grip,
even with wet hands
Taller offset tabs to make it simpler to grab and open
Secure closure with double-lock YELLOW AND BLUE MAKE GREEN SEAL^® that keeps food fresh

No Longer A Stay At Home Wife

2008-09-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

The journey starts tomorrow! Tomorrow, we leave our house and start a year long travel adventure.

To follow our journey, check out our travel blog: www.rumblingstumbling.com

Cascade & Magic Erasers--Free at Wal-Mart.com

2008-08-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited about this free sample.

Get a FREE sample of Cascade Complete All-in-1 dishwasher soap and a BONUS free sample of of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! I love the Mr. Clean magic erasers. They take up stains like...well like "magic". Hee hee!

Click on the link below and the free sample page at Wal-Mart.com will load.

Cascade/Mr. Clean

Free TP at Wal-Mart.com

2008-08-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Not the most glamorous of samples...but it is one of those things that I'd call a necessity! A new sample has posted at Wal-Mart.com; A full-size roll of SCOTT Extra Soft Bath Tissue. You'll want to hurry for this one, I'm sure it will go fast.

Scott Extra Soft Bath Tissue

Grocery Deal At Amazon -- Spend $59 Save $25

2008-08-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

Amazon Grocery just posted a new grocery deal...spend $59 on select grocery items and get $25 off. Plus orders over $25 are eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping. When Amazon runs these promotions, I love stocking up on non-perishables. August Grocery Deal

Here are all the details:

Save $25 today when you spend $59 or more on any combination of eligible products. Use the following promotional code when you check out: BTSBASIC. This offer applies only to products offered by Amazon.com and for purchases made between August 1 and August 31, 2008. Stock up and save--all items are eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping over $25.

What am I planning on buying?

TAZO Zen Green Tea with Lemongrass & Spearmint, 20-Count Tea Bags (Pack of 6) Price $25.73 ($4.29 per box is cheaper than my grocery store sells it.)

Clif Bar Energy Bars, 2.4-Ounce Bars (Pack of 24) Price $27.90 ($1.16 per bar; I eat these for breakfast on the mornings I workout)

Kellogg's Smart Start Cereal, Antioxidants, 17.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) Price $16.52 ($4.13 per box--I can probably get this cheaper if I hit a sale and use a coupon, but this is the normal price at my grocery store)

Total Merchandise Price: $70.15
Shipping: FREE SUPER SAVER
Tax: None
Coupon Code Discount: -$25.00
Out of Pocket Cost: $45.15

New Sample At Wal-Mart--Oatmeal Crisp Cereal

2008-08-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

A new sample is available at Wal-Mart.com. Hurry quantities are limited and when they are gone, you'll be left with an empty cereal bowl.

Oatmeal Crisp Cereal

For the latest samples check Wal-Mart's free sample section frequently.

Here are the steps for requesting free samples from Wal-Mart. Just click on the product name above and the free sample web site hosted by Wal-Mart should show up. They require pretty standard info. Name, Address, e-mail address (I always use my old Yahoo account to keep my primary one free of junk mail), and your date of birth (I use a different date--I'm paranoid about identity theft).

Around 3 weeks after you enter your info and hit submit, a little blue and white box or envelope will arrive in your mailbox.

Just call me "Martha"

2008-08-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Just kidding, starting my second project out of "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook", hardly qualifies me as a mini-Martha Stewart.

This week, I'm attempting to conquer something that bothers me every morning--SOAP SCUM! EWWWWW!!!!! I must warn you, I'm going to post a picture which might cause children to scream and others to faint. I don't know exactly when the soap scum started building (yes I do, two years ago right after we moved in). I've tried lots of cleaners (comet, scrubbing bubbles, lysol bathroom cleaner) and nothing gets rid of it!

I am so embarrassed to post this picture...my whole house isn't this dirty, really!

From page 318 of the homekeeping hadbook, I will be following Martha's instructions on "HOW TO REMOVE SOAP SCUM"

Page 318 from Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook

Martha says that the crusty film is a formed when calcium and other minerals in hard water combine with soap. The key to removing this layer of residue is using an acidic cleaner. A chemistry lesson direct from the book: "The pH scale measures acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Levels above 7 are more alkaline, while levels below 7 are more acidic. Most household cleaners are slightly alkaline because alkaline solutions cut through grease, oil, fats, proteins, and other common household soils, but are not particularly effective on soap scum."

White vinegar--which is acidic--will cut through stubborn residue. Let's see how it works on my stubborn scum...

Well I found some vinegar and poured it on the scum. Instantly I heard it working (little popping noises). I started scrubbing and the scum started to dissolve. There is still some there so I'm going to leave the vinegar on for a little while longer to see if the vinegar will eat through the soapy/mineral scum. oh yippee! I'd be one happy wanna-be-Martha, if I took a scum free shower tomorrow. If I am able to get my sparkly shower back, I promise to spray my method daily shower spray after EACH and EVERY shower.

Wal-Mart Free Samples

2008-08-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

I started requesting free samples several years ago. I learned about all the free samples that are available after I joined the grocery game. To give you some background, The Grocery Game is a weekly online list that tells you how to optimize your coupons with store sales--cost $10 for 1 store every 8 weeks--I know that seems expensive but if you are new to coupon-ing or have limited time for planning your bargain shopping it can be worthwhile.

On the grocery game site you can also look at the message boards--these are free and you don't have to be a grocery game member to read the boards. On the boards is an excellent thread called "Rebates & Samples". On this thread people post tons of free sample links. I used to spend a couple hours a week reading the thread, clicking on links, entering my info...
After spending many hours applying for free samples, I discovered one Company's samples always arrived in my mailbox--WAL-MART's.

So I've started to focus. I don't have hours to spend, typing my information into random web sites promising free stuff. Now, I check Wal-Mart's free sample section on a weekly basis.

At the bottom of this post I'll list some of the current free sample offers (hurry quantities are limited and when they are gone, they are gone)

Just click on the product name and the free sample web site hosted by Wal-Mart should show up. They require pretty standard info. Name, Address, e-mail address (I always use my old Yahoo account to keep my primary one free of junk mail), and your date of birth (I use a different date--I'm paranoid about identity theft).

Around 3 weeks after you enter your info and hit submit, a little blue and white box or envelope will arrive in your mailbox. I love it! Free Stuff! Just to give you an example of what I've received in the past: toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, eye cream, cereal, granola bars, diapers, powered fiber, Tylenol, etc. I save many of the samples for my travel bag. This way I always have products that meet the 3 ounce airport limitations.

Samples:

Tide Total Care Sample

Benefiber

Playtex Sport

Meow Mix

Tena Serenity

Kotex

Time For the Weekly CVS Savings Report

2008-08-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

The new weekly CVS circular is out and it is time to start planning my next trip. If you are new to bargain shopping at CVS, I recommend checking out this web site: iheartcvs.com. Iheartcvs.com is the authority on bargain shopping at CVS.

Unfortunately after looking through the list of deals, I'm not seeing much that I need. Plus there are NO FREEBIES this week-bummer-I heart free stuff! If I'm near a CVS, I might stop in and look at the candy deal (by $10 and get $5 back). The sixty stick packs of orbit qualify for the candy deal and they are on sale for $2 each. I could get 300 pieces of orbit gum for $5...better than I can do at the club store.

ECB Deals
$1 ECB WYB $4.99 Poland Springs 24 Pk., 16.9 bottles - Limit 1
$5 ECB WYB $15 of any Energizer Batteries – Limit 1
$10 ECB WYB 24.7 Makeup or Skincare PSA $15.99 – Limit 1
$5 ECB WYB Skin Effects Skin Care – Limit 1
$3 ECB WYB Alavert or Alavert D $5.99 – Limit 1
$5 ECB WYB $25 baby needs on this page: Huggies Wipes 2/$5.00, Huggies Jumbo packs $8.99, Johnsons shampoo, etc $2.99, CVS Cotton Swabs 2/$3, Enfamil $23.99 - Limit 1
$10 ECB WYB CVS Blood Pressure Monitor – Limit 1
$1 ECB WYB Neosporin $6.99 – Limit 1
$5 ECB WYB Any Pepcid AC 50-90ct, EZ Chews, or Complete 50ct – Limit 1
$3 ECB WYB Benefiber, Ex-Lax, or Gas-X $15.99 – Limit 1
$10 ECB WYB Two (2) Lamisil or Lamisilk (coupons out for B1G1F) – Limit 1
$2 ECB WYB Softsoap Refill or Irish Spring 8 pack $5.69 – Limit 2
$2 ECB WYB L’Oreal Visible Lift foundation, powder, concealer, Bare Naturale Lip, mascara, or mineral powder $9.99 – Limit 4
$3 ECB WYB Two (2) Oxy Products listed – spot treatment, wash, or cleansing pads – Limit 5
$5 ECB WYB $15 Futuro – Limit 5
$10 ECB WYB $30 Roc Skin Care – Limit 5
$3 ECB WYB Gatorade 12 pack 24oz bottles $12.99 – Limit 5
$5 ECB WYB $10 of the following candy products (see flyer for brands) – Limit 5

Buy ONE Get ONE FREE
Neutrogena Men Skin Care – buy 2 get 1 free!
Brut cologne, lotion, deodorant, spray
Right Guard Sport, Xtreme, Soft & Dri, or Dry Idea
Sea Breeze $4.99
All CVS Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbals
CoverGirl Lip Color PSA $4.99
Planters Nuts $6.59
Backpacks
Colgate PSA $1.99
Arizona Tea $0.99
Betty Crocker Bowl Appetit or Kraft Max & Cheese $1.69-$1.99
Fashion Notebook
Pilot G2 Pens
Avery or Marks A Lot retractable hi-liter or markers
Avery or Wilson Jones Binders
Essential Elements 3 wick candle
All CoverGirl Lip Color
Reach Floss, flosser refull heads, or starter kit
Breath RX $9.99
Dietery Supplement
CVS Dandruff Shampoo

Oh a couple abbreviations that might be helpful:
ECB = Extra Care Buck
PSA = Prices starting at
WYB = When You Buy

Olympic Games = Lots of Inexpensive Date Nights

2008-08-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know, the 2008 Summer Olympic Games kicked off today! For the next two weeks, you'll find my husband and I cuddled on the couch enjoying the efforts of the world's greatest athletes. In honor of all this t.v. watching I'll be making a lot of popcorn and other fun snack foods. We'll be treating the next 14 days like our weekly date night -- On Sunday evenings, we typically watch a movie from NetFlix together and eat big bowls of popcorn! It is one of my favorite evenings, simple but special.

Even though this year's games have been ushered in with some controversy, I can't help but get excited to watch these individuals, that have trained their entire lives, compete in the games. I am hoping that international politics do not detract from the amazing accomplishments of these men and women. This evening we are watching the opening ceremonies. I'm smiling because it is amazing to see the glow on each face as they enter the stadium. The slogan of the games is "One World, One Dream", I hope we can make that happen if only for a moment.

In the US, games will be shown on NBC. Visit the NBC Olympic website for schedules and the latest news. Click here to go directly to results and schedules.

Even though I love seeing all of the countries together, I'm still a proud American--Go Team USA!!

Official Mascots of the 2008 Summer Olympics--Aren't they adorable

Some Facts:

--10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports

--An estimated 550 athletes will represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

--A total of 37 venues will be used to host the events including 12 newly constructed venues

--The slogan for the 2008 Olympics is "One World, One Dream"

--The 2008 Olympic Mascots are the five Fuwa (simplified Chinese: 福娃, literally "good luck dolls" initially known as Friendlies in English). The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. The Fuwa each have as their primary colour, one of the colours of the five Olympic Rings that stand for the five continents.

Best Laid Plans...

2008-08-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

What is they say about best laid plans often going awry? This morning I left my house on foot, intending to cross many items off my to-do list. Well, I arrived at the farmer's market and guess what--they are only open on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. In my mind I mixed up Tuesday and Thursday, drat those words that start with the same letter.

Any-hoo, I still had a great morning and this means I'll just have to do it again tomorrow! Since my backpack was pretty empty I stopped in at Rite Aid. Rite Aid is another of my favorite bargain shopping stores. Every month Rite Aid releases a flyer with their monthly rebate deals. Their program is called Single Check Rebates. I really like this program because it is easy. You buy the stuff on rebate, come home from the store, enter information from your receipt (store number, register number, transaction number and transaction date--they show you on the web site where this info is located on the receipt), and after you've finished shopping for rebates each month you hit a button and request your check. About three weeks later a check arrives in the mail. EASY!

I bought three items today--all will be free after rebate.

Olay Total Effect Foaming Cleanser -- Sale Price $7.99 -- After Rebate FREE
Nature's Cure Acne Treatment -- Sale Price $7.99 --After Rebate FREE
Old Spice Triple Blade Disposable Razors -- Sale Price $3.99 -- After Rebate Free

There are actually three or four other free items for this month's rebate program but I had already purchased those over the weekend while I was at my parent's house (I wanted to share some of my shopping good fortune with them). Most of the rebates are limit one per customer. Happy Shopping and Happy Saving!

These Feet Were Made For Walking

2008-08-07T07:28:00.001-07:00

This morning I'm lacing up my sneakers and walking my errands. First stop--Post Office. Second Stop--Bank. Third Stop--Farmer's Market. This summer I've been walking a lot and love having a purpose when I hit the pavement.

Walking my errands saves me money in two ways. 1) I'm not starting up my car and burning gas. Those around town stop and go trips are horrible for miles per gallon consumption. My car has a little display that tells you the current miles per gallon--when I'm buzzing around town, stopping and starting at lights, my mpg dips down to 14 or 15 miles per gallon (compared to 30 on the highway). 2) I've canceled my gym membership. My normal routine at the gym was 30 minutes on the treadmill and weights. Well, I can walk outside and I bought a set of free weights so I'm pumping iron in the living room. The gym membership was over $100 a month for my husband and I. We can do a lot with an extra $1200 in our pocket.

I've become better at planning my routes. One of my first on foot errand adventures was a true workout. I went to the farmer's market first, loaded a backpack up with a WHOLE WATERMELON and corn on the cob, then I proceeded to go on all my other errands. Watermelons are heavy and I had a very good workout that day!

So I'm lacing up my sneakers, conquering my to-do list and saving pennies. Walk-On.

The Homekeeping Handbook

2008-08-06T07:28:00.001-07:00

I must admit it, I don't know much about managing my home efficiently. This whole domestic goddess thing is new to me. I'm the kind of person that does something when it needs to be done. I see a lot of dirt--I sweep. I see a full hamper--I do laundry. I've tried using some of the Fly-Lady tips like always having a sparkly kitchen sink...not letting the dishes build is easier than conquering a huge gross mountain of caked on food at the end of the night. However, I know there are other tips & tricks out there that will save me time and also make our home more organized. I hate the sinking feeling I get when my house is a wreck and people are comng over, so if there are daily things that I can do to avoid those mad cleaning scrambles before company arrives--let me know!

Last year for Christmas, my husband bought me "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook". I know what you are thinking---HOW COULD HE DO THAT? DOES THAT MEANIE HUSBAND WANT HIS WIFE TO SCRUB TOILETS ALL DAY LONG? Well, I actually wanted it! So he was getting me something I requested.

Love her or Hate her, almost everyone agrees that Martha is the queen of home projects. If you've ever seen her show or picked up her magazine you know that she knows just the right touches to make something drab into something fab.

The Homekeeping Handbook is a 744 page resource for everything going on inside a house. As is it says on the cover--"The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home". For me the book provides ways to manage upkeep without feeling flustered.

Because becoming Martha Stewart overnight is impossible. I've decided to pick one project per week (maybe two if I'm feeling ambitious)!

So here is today's project: Covering A Box Spring

This is on page 269 and looks like a good and easy project for my first one. Some beds (like the one in our guest room) leave the box spring exposed. To protect it, and make it more attractive Martha suggests a cheap and easy way to cover it. Use a fitted sheet. Well I've got plenty of those! Just slip the sheet over the box spring, using one that matches those on the bed, or for extra pizzazz--use one in a matching pattern or hue.

Ok! Just finished project one!! Yippee! Feeling so proud of myself. I'm a little Martha today.

Step 1: Found an extra fitted sheet
Step 2: Removed the mattress (this was actually the hardest part because I'm alone. Had to push the mattress off the bed about a foot and then was able to tilt the mattress to so that it stood on one side)
Step 3: Put sheet on box spring
Step 4: Return mattress and remake bed.
Step 5: Step back and admire your work. Box Spring is covered in a cotton that matches other linens rather than the cheap muslin covering put on by the manufacturer. It is also protected from dust and spills.

Since I had the mattress off the bed, I was able to do another housekeeping task I had been meaning to do--Flip the mattress. We've owned this bed for two years and had yet to flip the mattress to help distribute the wear evenly. The mattress manufacturer recommends flipping a mattress once a season--once every two years seems ample for a guest room!

The Before Picture

The After Picture--To Be Posted Later--I decided to wash the linens while I was in project mode

Time to Bargain Shop

2008-08-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm back home, it is time for me to get back to my routine. Today I need to visit CVS and get some deals. CVS is one of my favorite bargain shopping stops. Every week, I spend a little time going through their flyer. When you combine their weekly specials and manufacturer coupons from the Sunday paper, items are often free!

An explanation of ECB Specials. ECBs are an instant rebate program that CVS uses called Extra Bucks. To receive ECBs you must enroll in the CVS loyalty card program. When you look through their weekly flyer (or the list I have below) you will notice items with Extra Buck rewards. When you buy the item and scan your CVS loyalty card, a coupon good for anything in the store will print (excluding prescriptions). The next time you shop at CVS (even the same day) present the coupon and it works just like cash. Because this is a CVS coupon, you are allowed to combine it with any manufacturer coupons you might be using.

From a shopping trip a couple weeks ago, I have $14.46 worth of Extra Bucks (ECBs). When I shop today, I will use my ECBs to pay for what I buy.

An example of something I'll get for free: $1.50 ECB WYB Crest or Oral B $2.49 – Limit 1. I have a $1.00 off manufacturers coupon for Crest.

Crest Sale Price $2.49
Coupon $1.00
I will pay $1.49 but will receive $1.50 of Extra Bucks to use on my next CVS shopping trip. Plus remember that $14.46 of Extra Bucks from my last shopping trip--this is how I'll pay for today's shopping!

ECB Specials
$5 ECB WYB Almay Bright Eyes Shadow, Liner, or Concealer $8.99 - Limit 1
$5 ECB WYB $15 Clean & Clear – Limit 1
$3 ECB WYB Gillette Venus Embrace or Breeze, Fusion $9.99 - Limit 1
$2 ECB WYB Gillette Shampoo 2/$9 – Limit 1
$10 ECB WYB CVS Stop Smoking Aid - Limit 1
$1.50 ECB WYB Crest or Oral B $2.49 – Limit 1
$4.99 ECB WYB Extreme Energy Shot $4.99 - Limit 1
$2 ECB WYB Three (3) Pantene Pro-V 3/$10 - Limit 1
$3 ECB WYB Folders twin pack or Simply Asia 4 Pack $6.99 - Limit 2
$2 ECB WYB Colgate Total or MaxFresh $2.99 – Limit 2

Buy ONE Get ONE FREE
Five Star Notebooks
Post Cereal
Life Fitness Vitamins or supplements
Kleenex tissue
All Revlon Lip, Mascara, Eye Shadow or Liner
CoverGirl Clean, TruBlend or Aqua Smoothers
CVS Batteries
CVS Padlock $4.49
CVS Envelopes $1.59
CVS Writing Pads
Pilot Easy Touch Pens
Pencil Pouch
Its Academic Scissors
Bic White Out $1.99
Mead Cards
CVS or Avery Dividers
Sure or Pert Plus
Mane N Tail FX or Silking
Orajel Toddler TP, Prebrush gel or revealing rinse for kids
Relacore Dietary Supplement
Osteo Bi-Flex
Natrol

Buy ONE Get ONE 50% off
Revlon Foundation, powder, blush, concealer or tools
Magnivision reading glasses
All Icy Hot
CVS Spectravite
Kelloggs Kashi, Zone CocoaVia or Atkins bars
Sally Hansen Hair Romover
Gillette Disposable Razors
Scunci Kids or Fashion Ornamentals
Got2B Styler
Designer Fragrances over 19.99
Almay Foundation, powder, blush or concealer (excludes Bright Eyes)

Other deals
Speed Stick Mennen $1.99
Pepsi 12 packs – Buy 4 get 1 free – 4/$12
Dawn $0.88
Cadbury Big Bar $0.88

HOME!

2008-08-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

After a long day of travel, I am back at home. It feels so good to be settled in at my own house. I've got my favorite red sweatpants on and I am ready to get comfy.

Earlier this week, I wrote about something I missed since leaving work -- my blackberry and being connected all the time. Tonight, I will write about something I will not miss -- business travel.

I remember when I got excited to fly in an airplane. My first business trip was to Chicago. I remember when my boss told me I would be able to attend the meetings with her, I felt glamorous and important. Over the years, the novelty of business travel wore off--Getting stuck at airports or worse stuck on a hot & smelly plane on the runway became common.

Here are some pictures that sum up my day:

The flight departure board at Philadelphia airport. Half of the flights listed are DELAYED!

The hustling and bustling crowds

No free lunch! No free beverages! US Air Begins to Charge for Drinks

Last month, airlines started charging for checked baggage. This week, beverages became the latest extra charge by an airline. U.S. Airlines has started charging for drinks on its flights -- $1 for coffee, $2 for bottled water or soda, and $7 for beer & wine. If you are flying remember to bring some small bills to purchase, the cabin always seems to run out of correct change. I'm trying not to complain, I know the airlines are struggling with higher fuel oil prices (just like all of us) but it takes time to get used to the removal of something I always took for granted.

Since you can't bring liquids over 3 ounces through security. The only way I can think of to get a free drink is to bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up at the water fountain. If you don't like the taste of city water, you can use powdered drink mix sticks to mask the taste. You can get 10 packs of drink sticks at your local grocery store, target or wal-mart. If you are looking for them, go to the drink mix aisle and look for the small boxes. Most drink mix companies have started producing the single serve drink sticks (just the right amount of mix for a 16 ounce bottle). I like the crystal light or lipton tea varieties--no calories.

If you are traveling by air this summer--good luck and remember to pack plenty of reading material and patience.

Homemade Apple Pie

2008-08-04T20:07:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, my dad and I stopped at a friends house for a quick visit. We walked in and a wonderful aroma was wafting through their house--freshly baked pie. While we were visiting and playing with their handsome 9 month old baby boy, the husband walked into the kitchen. He spied the apple pie his wife had just finished baking (the source of the wonderful aroma). Earlier in the day, the wife had baked the pie for their neighbors to thank them for watching their dogs. The husband started begging his wife to let him try the pie and asked her if she could cook another one to give to the neighbors. Finally after a lot of whining, she relented! Woo Hoo! If they were serving pie, we were going to have some too! Man oh man, I am glad we were there. So good!

Well I asked her for the recipe and here it is. I can't wait to get home and make this for my husband. He will surely call me his domestic goddess!! Apple Pie Recipe

Sorry I don't have any pictures. It disappeared into our bellies pretty fast.

Road Side Eats

2008-08-04T18:14:00.001-07:00

Tonight my family went to a local road-side eatery--The Harris Family Takeout. As you might guess, The Harris Family Takeout is operated by a local family: The Harris Family. My mom loves stopping in for a cone of soft-serve ice cream during the summer. Tonight I was in the truck with my brother and dad, we were returning from delivering lumber (our family sells lumber) and we were starting to get hungry for dinner. So we were about to call my mom to see what she wanted to do for dinner, but we didn't need to. My moms car had just pulled up in front of the takeout! She was craving her daily cone!

My mom-Happy as a Clam

So we all ordered dinner and had a family feast. Mom and I split an order of fried clams. I think that fried clams coated in tarter sauce tastes amazing. Truly a treat that reminds me of summer in Maine. My brother and dad both had hamburger baskets (burgers resting on a mountain of french fries). My mom of course had her ice cream cone. Actually, I think she had her ice cream cone while she waited for her dinner to cook. She's one of those people that firmly believes: "Life is Short - Eat Dessert First"

My husband will be so jealous when he reads this! He went to the takeout last summer and still mentions it at least once a week. I've got to get that boy to Maine!

The picture I sent during dinner via my iPhone to make my husband jealous!!

Lakeside Barbeque

2008-08-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

I'm still away from home. The epic road trip is over but I'm at my parents house in Maine right now. I'm flying home tomorrow and I can't wait to see my handsome husband. It feels weird to be apart for a week.

Yesterday, we went to my grandfather's cabin at the lake and had a BBQ. Even though most of the food was bad for you (lots of grilled meat, potato salad and chips) we managed to sneak in a few healthy options.

Flipping burgers

How we made it semi-healthy!

String Beans
My mom brought fresh string beans. I love fresh garden produce! She boiled the beans until they were just tender and added light salt & pepper. mmm...tasted like summer.

Grilled Corn on the Cob
We first soaked corn (still wrapped in the husks) in the lake for 30 minutes. After they had soaked, we placed them on the upper rack of the BBQ grill for 15 minutes. The corn steamed inside its husk. I love cooking corn this way...it is easy since the BBQ is already heated up! When corn is fresh, I don't even need to use butter. Sometimes I just sprinkle a little salt to enhance the flavor. If you need a little butter I recommend using a few mists of spray butter!

Enjoying our freshly grilled corn

Veggie Tray
My brother's girlfriend and I cut up celery, carrots and broccoli. Most people will eat what is put in front of them...we put veggies out with the chips and dip....guess what there were more chips leftover than veggies!

Summer in Maine

Staying Connected

2008-08-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

One of the first things I missed when I became a stay at home wife was my BLACKBERRY! Always having access to information became an addiction. I'd check my blackberry first thing in the morning to make sure an important e-mail hadn't arrived in the middle of the night. If I stepped away to get lunch at work I probably checked it 10 or 12 times in the span of 15 minutes. One time I went to the dentist for a cleaning and x-rays, I caught myself holding my blackberry up near my face...while my mouth was stuffed with bite wing things and the hygienist was out the room getting ready to x-ray me.

So I was thrilled when my husband got the new iPhone because he gave his old iPhone to me!! After two weeks of using my new iPhone, I've found the new can't live without device.

The iPhone makes the Blackberry look like something cave men used. All on one device, I'm surfing the web, checking my personal e-mail, listening to music, checking my google calendar, updating my facebook, chatting on google, calling friends and much more. I love it. I can even update my blog! So cool.

Last week, I bought this Paul Frank designed iPhone case. It is red. It has a monkey on it. It makes me feel uber-cool!

Back of the case...Julius the Monkey!

The interior of my case. iPhone just pops in.

@ Home: Food From Gas Stations-Tasty On A Road Trip

2008-08-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

@ Home: Food From Gas Stations-Tasty On A Road Trip

Food From Gas Stations-Tasty On A Road Trip

2008-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

I love getting snacks when we are on a road trip. You pull in to refuel your car and it is time to refuel your tummy too.

Buying chips and root beer is a guilty pleasure. I think it seems even more special because my parents would never let us buy junk food when I was little. Partially to save money and partially to stay healthy, my mom always brought food from home in the car. Road trip drinks consisted of a gallon of water from home with cups. Road trip food was usually cheese & crackers and tuna sandwiches in the cooler. So now that I am an adult making my own decisions...I've gone wild...SODA and CHIPS!! I wonder if this will change when I've got my own munch-kins in the backseat and I'm trying to set a good example.

Since I'm currently sans kiddos, I'm enjoying pigging out on road trips. On this trip I bought a bag of salt-n-vinegar chips and a barqs root beer. Let's just say--TASTY (very)! Not Healthy (the chips were not baked, just the regular old full fat and cholesterol variety)! Not Cheap (gas stations are rip-offs for food)!

road trip

2008-08-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

***Warning*** There will be no mention of healthy food over the next several days. I'm on a road trip and I'm eating greasy, salty and sugary grub. I'm sure we'll find tasty treats but healthy & cheap have flown out the car window this week.

For the last two days, I've been on a road trip with my younger brother. He graduated from college in May and starts his first real job on September 2nd. His job is located just outside of New York City--8 hours from our hometown. One of the challenges of starting a new job so far away is finding someplace to live. Since I've got spare time for the first time in a long time and a very understanding husband, I offered to take a road trip with my brother to help him find an apartment in his new city.

On Wednesday morning, I had an early morning flight from Charlotte to Bangor, ME. Early morning flights seem to have the best chance of taking off on time, so I've been trying to get on those recently. When I book a late day flight, the airports always get congested and my flight gets DELAYED. For me, lack of sleep is better than sitting in an airport--so early morning flights it is!

My brother picked me up at the airport a little before noon. We rented a fuel efficient Ford Focus and started driving south. (Unfortunately, my brother is still under 25, so he couldn't be added to the rental agreement without a big fee. Not having him on the rental agreement meant I would have to do all the driving--this will be the biggest challenge for me).

My brother and I, circa 1988. Gotta love the stirrup pants.

It is so fun to be on a road trip with my little brother. Gotta love summer and the open road. Our rental came equipped with satellite radio and we quickly found the all 80's music station. Soon we were rolling down the highway, windows open and the radio blaring.

Three hours later, we stopped in York, ME to stay with my brother's girlfriend. After eating a delicious barbecue feast at his girlfriend's parents house, we went out for ice cream.

I am so glad we did because I had the best ice cream--EVER. I love ice cream and I promise you I have eaten a lot of the frozen goodness in my lifetime. I am being honest when I say, I had the best ice cream of my life on Wednesday evening. This is where we went:

Brown's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
232 Nubble Rd
York, ME 03909
Google Map to Brown's

If you ever find yourself driving through Maine. Stop in York. Go to Brown's for ice cream. You will be very happy you did.

Brown's Ice Cream is located on Nubble Road, next to the famous Nubble Light. They have an amazing selection of flavors and all the ice cream is old fashioned homemade hard serve!! I had the peppermint stick ice cream--it actually had the real finely chopped pieces of peppermint stick mixed in the ice cream--something I haven't been able to find in a while. That taste takes me back to childhood summer vacations.

This is me-attacking my "small" ice cream cone at Brown's Ice Cream

Did you know? JULY IS NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

I believe that getting yourself a cone of the good stuff is a very appropriate way to observe the holiday. Enjoy!

@ Home: Tasty, Healthy & Cheap

2008-07-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

@ Home: Tasty, Healthy & Cheap

What's For Dinner?

2008-07-29T15:28:00.001-07:00

Time to Eat!

Starter
Baby lettuce, grape tomatoes, and celery

Entree

Homemade tomato sauce with turkey meatballs on a bed of whole wheat pasta

Ok, how did I do meeting the criteria--Tasty, Healthy & Cheap?

1) Tasty--Oh, yea. No doubt about it. We ate every last bite on our plates and hubby is looking forward to the leftovers tomorrow. I've started pulling out the pretty plates we received as wedding gifts. There's no reason those plates should sit in the china cabinet gathering dust. I think food tastes better when the presentation is pretty.

2) Healthy--I was able to sneak finely chopped pieces of celery into the salad. The sauce was made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, basil, pepper and mushrooms--nothing else. Whole wheat pasta--sneaky fiber.

3) Cheap--Per plate pretty cheap considering I'll freeze some sauce and I have two plates in the fridge for meals tomorrow. All in it will probably cost about $2.50 per meal--beat that McDonald's.

Mission Accomplished!

Tasty, Healthy & Cheap

2008-07-29T11:40:00.001-07:00

As a stay at home wife, I cook dinner. I like to cook and now that I have time I think I am getting better. However, I have started to make new criteria for the food I prepare. I want the meals I put on the table to be 3 things: Tasty, Healthy, & Cheap

1) Tasty--This is easy to explain. I want my hubby and I to enjoy eating meals. I want him to look forward to yummy food at the end of the day.

2) Healthy--We are getting older (gasp) I know, sad but true. As we get older, I want us to stay healthy. I firmly believe that one of the most important health decision you make is: what you decide to put in your mouth. I've seen my grandmother keep adult onset diabetes in check by managing her diet. I saw my hubby bring his cholesterol down markedly just by changing his diet. So I try for low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber and high vitamins.

3) Cheap--I like a deal. Let me take that back, I love a deal. Triple coupon day at the grocery store is a like a holiday to me. One of the biggest changes I've made is actually using all the food I buy. When a recipe calls for half an onion and 3 carrots I don't put the rest back in the bin and forget about them, I've been making an effort to use the other half of the onion and the rest of the carrots before they go green and fuzzy. I've also been making more food from scratch...I used to make spaghetti by using jar sauce. Now I make sauce using real tomatoes and garlic and basil and onions. It is amazing how much more you can make for the same price. Plus it tastes really good.

So here's my mantra as I scour cookbooks and roam the grocery store: TASTY, HEALTHY & CHEAP

One Year Anniversary

2008-07-27T19:43:00.001-07:00

Our one year anniversary is tomorrow! I can't believe how quickly the last year has flown by. I have had the most wonderful year.

Because I'm feeling sentimental, here are a couple of pictures from our wedding.

Standing with my best friend

My handsome hubby

I miss our family and friends. It was amazing to have them all in one place.

How To Be A Good Wife

2008-07-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, the first time I saw the text from a 1954 Home Economics book it came as a forward. It was meant to be a joke. However, I found myself thinking about it last week. So I looked it up to see it was still hilarious or starting to ring true.

How I am the same? At around 4 o'clock each day, I start preparing dinner. It might not be gourmet but I want it to be healthy and tasty. I also try to make sure there isn't a bunch of junk laying around the house. I feel like it is the least I can do, as I've been home all day doing what I want. You'll probably never find me taking off my husbands shoes or arranging his pillow but I might just take a couple minutes to freshen up (i.e. change out of the ratty red sweatpants I've started wearing like a uniform.)

Dinner, Yes. Taking off shoes, No.




HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE
Home Economics High School Text Book, 1954


Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal, on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the home just before your husband arrives, gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad he is home.

Some don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

Dealing with the meanies

2008-07-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

When I decided to leave my job, I didn't expect to receive so many NEGATIVE comments. Five years ago, would I have had the same opinion of someone quitting? Would I have thought they were selling themselves short. Wasting their educations? Wasting their minds?

I've had more than a couple women tell me that I am making a huge mistake. I was at a family wedding and heard two women talking about me behind me back. Those comments have hurt and made me doubt myself.

When I start feeling this way, I have to remind myself of how improved our life is at home. I am healthier. My husband is healthier (I cook with more fresh veggies now). We have more time to do fun stuff on weekends since I am able to take care of our errands during the week. I've been able to spend more time with my parents and my aging grandparents. Does receiving a paycheck make my work seem more worthwhile. Would these critics be happy if I had any job outside the home?

WHY???

2008-07-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

My last day of corporate life was April 25, 2008--10 days after my 30th birthday. Going into my boss' office to say, "I'm done", was scarier than I thought it would be. I had been working in finance since graduating from college back in the spring of 2000. In my early twenties, working long hours was easy; I didn't have a home to take care of, I didn't have a husband, and I had the energy of my youth to keep me going. I split an apartment in New York city with two friends from college. The three of us had similar jobs and schedules. If we were able to have dinner together on Sunday nights, we were thrilled. We were three girls living in the city, working hard and playing hard.

Back in the winter of 2006, I moved to North Carolina to live with my then boyfriend (now my husband). I was lucky enough to find a new job. All was good. Our first fight came one evening when we both got home from work. We were both tired from long days at work, I wanted to go to the gym and planned on eating a power bar for dinner. Back when I lived with my roommates we never had dinner together, we each had our own schedules and our individual ways of fitting everything into our hectic lives. Well, my new roommate wanted to have a more integrated life together.

How was I supposed to fit in cooking dinner! I had never had to juggle before. Priority #1 had always my job. Before, it was ok if it was because of work. I was late for dinner dates, no problem if I had been kept at work. I canceled doctors appointments at the last minute, justified because work need me. I skipped vacations just in case something important occurred at work.

Fast forward a couple months through some struggles in the kitchen and some soul searching about my priorities. I was learning how to grocery shop for more than one meal. I was starting to leave work earlier with less guilt. I still had some nagging guilt, was I doing the best job I could do? At home? At work?

That's when the markets started getting rocky. If I wanted to do a good job, I needed to work more. So I started shifting my priorities. Coming home late, head foggy and only able to talk about the day I'd just had. One dimensional working girl was back.

Well remember that special roommate, during the last two years he had gone from being my boyfriend to becoming my husband. I no longer had a roommate, I had a partner. We were starting to talk about the future. We wanted a family. We wanted a life. We wanted happiness.

So I started thinking. When was a happiest? It was an easy answer. I was happiest when I was at home, laughing and dreaming with my husband.

We started talking about my next steps. I would wait for my 30th birthday and quit. Letting go of the paycheck would be hard. Letting go of the identity I had created around work would be even harder.

Well it has been three months since I entered the world of stay at home wife. It has been a period of adjustment but one I feel lucky to be experiencing.

The First Post

2008-07-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here I am. Starting to Blog. I was going to start a journal but I've found that I miss typing on a computer, besides writing in a notebook reminds me of what I did in middle school.

To explain my blog title. I became a Stay-At-Home-Wife 3 months ago. Even though staying at home sounds like heaven, it has taken some getting used to. When you have been a type A person since birth, getting off the treadmill takes some adjustment.